10:16 pm: Cyclone Phailin on Sunday left a trail of destruction knocking down lakhs of homes affecting nearly 90 lakh people and destroying paddy crops worth about Rs 2,400 crore, but Odisha and Andhra Pradesh escaped from widespread loss of life.

As the largest evacuation efforts in the country's recent history helped keep casualties to the minimum, reports from the two states tonight said that 23 people died, all but two of them in Odisha. Most of the casualties were caused by wall collapse, uprooted trees and in floods.

08:20 pm: Ten bodies were recovered from Ganjam district and Balasore districts on Sunday in the aftermath of cyclone Phailin, taking the toll to 17 in Odisha, official sources said.

Two bodies each were found in Berhampur town, Purushottampur, Ganjam town and Rangelilunda areas of Ganjam district where the high-velocity cyclone left a trail of devastation after making landfall in Gopalpur area yesterday, a senior official said.

05:30 pm: Crew of merchant vessel that went missing after cyclone rescued

The 20 crew members of a China-bound merchant vessel, which went missing from the Bay of Bengal after cyclone Phailin, have been rescued.

The 19 Chinese and one Indonesian were rescued from MV Bingo. They will reach Sagar port by Monday, the coastguard said on Sunday.

4:34 pm: Eight more bodies found in Odisha

Bodies of eight people killed during cylone Phailin were found from Ganjam district of Odisha on Sunday, taking the death toll in the disaster to 16.

Police said two bodies each were found in Berhampur town, Purosottampur, Ganjam town and Rangelilunda areas.

Besides, a large number of people have been injured in Ganjam district.

Seven people were killed on Sunday due to heavy rains and high-velocity winds in Odisha before the cyclone made landfall on Saturday night, including two at Polasara and Khalikote areas of Ganjam district.

Two deaths have also been reported from Khurda and one each from Jagatsinghpur, Puri and Balasore districts.

In Andhra Pradesh's Srikakulam district, one person died in a wall collapse during the cyclone.

In Uttarakhand saw relief material being heli-dropped & no one was there to receive. All round confusion. In Orissa, for once system worked

"At round 8.30 am, the cyclone was 50 km south of Sambalpur. The wind is blowing at a speed of around 110 kmph to 120 kmph which will lead to some structural damage like uprooting of trees," said M. Mahapatra, who heads the cyclone division of India Meteorological Department (IMD).

But the wind speed is decreasing slowly, he said.

"We expect that Phailin will become a cyclone storm by afternoon with a wind speed of 60-70 kmph," he said.

Rained hard between 9 & 10PM. Then for half an hour all went deadly quiet. Then began the real storm. Windows broke. Water flooded room.

10:30 am: 18 fishermen of kanyakumari district are stuck mid-way near Odisha's port town. They were travelling in two boats and after the cyclone warning they had anchored the boats in the sea. The severe cyclonic storm damaged the anchors and the boats. The coast guard is on the lookout for the 18 fishermen.

Men try to remove fallen trees from a road due to the rain and wind in Odisha on October 12, 2013. Reuters

09:00 AM: Strong winds have uprooted trees and electricity poles in many parts of Odisha.

Phailin the Super Cyclone hit the coast at about 8.20 pm on Saturday evening, but with a much reduced force than what was feared. At a windspeed of just about 200 km per hour, the eye of the storm made landfall just a few kilometres southeast of Gopalpur, the beach holiday town. The town reported six deaths even before the real gale force hit it. Mostly because of falling trees. Very heavy rains are pounding the area and this is not going to stop for the next 6 to 10 hours.

The storm coasted at the time of low tide, and the surge in sea was at 3.5 metres. In 1999, when the storm was headed towards flatland, the storm surge led to massive inland flooding. This time the storm hit an area that has hills blocking water. And unlike 1999, this time the government and the people of Odisha and Andhra Pradesh were prepared to face the cyclone.

Boys sleep on the floor of a wedding hall after leaving their house to take shelter from the impact of Cyclone Phailin, in Odisha. Reuters

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh directed government agencies to extend all possible help to cyclone-hit Odisha and Andhra Pradesh. Congress chief Sonia Gandhi tonight said the government and her party will do everything possible to stand up to any eventuality and every emergent situation in the wake of cyclone Phailin in Odisha and Andhra Pradesh.

Gandhi has been in constant touch with Union Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde, taking regular stock of the ground situation in the two states.

Gandhi, who has been continously monitoring the developments, said her prayers and that of the entire Congress party are with the people of Odisha and Andhra Pradesh "in this hour of great natural calamity".

High tide waves approach the Bay of Bengal coast near Gopalpur beach in Ganjam district about 200 kilometers from Bhubaneswar. (AP Photo/Biswaranjan Rout)

A statement issued by Congress said Sonia Gandhi has been continuously monitoring the developments in wake of the cyclone.

"The Congress party and the government have been and will be doing every thing possible to stand up to any eventuality and every emergent situation" Gandhi said.

Six coloums of Army from Ranchi to Bhubaneshwar and four coloums from Vishakapatnam to districts in Andhra Pradeash have been dispatched and put into action as part of relief and rescue efforts. In addition, one engineering team of the Army is on the stand by for any eventuality.

Satellite image of Cyclone Phailin. Source: IMD

NDRF teams comprising trained and professional disaster management personnel have been working in Odisha, Andhra Pradesh and West Bengal respectively.

The Telecommunication Department has provided 18 satellite phones to Odisha, 16 to Andhra pradesh and 10 to NDRF for communication purposes.

The Cabinet Secretary has been in continuous touch with the Chief secretaries of Odisha and Andhra pradesh with a view to coordinating and assisting relief and reconnaissance efforts.

Power was switched off in a dozen towns in coastal districts of Odisha since morning in view of Cyclone Phailin, which made landfall near Gopalpur in Ganjam district.

Since the supply at most places was through overhead wires which were vulnerable, power distribution companies SouthCo, CESU and NorthCo disconnected power.

"A direction was issued to snap the power supply in areas which experience gale of between 50 to 60 kmph as a precautionary measure," Golak Sahu, PRO Central Electricity Supply, which supplies power to 12 coastal districts, said.

The districts where power was disconnected were Ganjam, Gajapati, Khurda, Nayagarh, Puri, Cuttack, Kendrapara, Jagatsingh, Jajpur, Bhadrak, Balasore and Mayurbhanj.

"The intensity of the storm is likely to continue for six hours that is until Sunday morning. The eye of the cyclone is approximately 15 kilometres, which means it will take around one hour to cross the coast," according to L S Rathore, Director General (metrology) of IMD.

The cyclone made its landfall at a windspeed of 200 km per hour. The intensity will not reduce as of now but could go up to 210 to 220 km per hour as earlier predicted, he added.

He reiterated that the cyclone is not a super cyclone and the intensity level has been found to be of level 6. He said that a super cyclone of level 7 had been witnessed by the state of Odisha in the year 1999.

The official further said that the areas likely to suffer maximum damage are the stretch between Kalingaptam and Paradip while adding that Gopalpur will be the epicentre.

"The very severe cyclonic storm will after six hours turn into cyclonic storm and then deep depression," Rathore said.

As per IMD data, the rainfall received in Bhubaneswar from 8.30 AM to 8.30 PM was 130 mm, while Gopalpur received 78 mm and Puri 81 mm.

According to LS Rathore, the DG of IMD, Phailin cannot be callled a super cylcone since it has still not crossed a wind speed of 200 kmph. The DG was very categorical that the storm cannot be called a Super Cyclone as that tabulation is only for tropical storms which cross 220 kmph.

Heavy to very heavy rainfall is being reported from Andhra pradesh and Odisha and the situation will remain such for another six hours.

9.15 pm: 18 Fishermen stranded on trawler off Paradip

Eighteen fishermen, who had ventured out in the sea despite being warned of Cyclone Phailin, were still stranded on their trawler off the coast of Paradip in Odisha for the second day today.

The fishermen had sent distress calls from their mobile phones after being stranded yesterday, but coast guard vessels could not set sail because of stormy seas, Revenue Divisional Commissioner, central division A K Padhee told PTI here.

Padhee said he contacted the Air Force to make an attempt to rescue the fishermen, but this was also not possible as the winds were above 20 knots.

8.45 pm: 6 killed in Gopalpur, Odisha

6 people have been killed in Gopalpur, Odisha just as Cyclone Phailin made landfall accompanied by winds upto 260 kmph.

Editor- at-Large, Headlines Today and Aaj Tak, Rahul Kanwal tweeted:

Each time I think how much faster can the wind blow, the ferocity increases perceptibly every 10 minutes. #PhailinFury#Gopalpur

Rahul Kanwal - 8.22 pm

Water levels rising. The beach front & hotel from where we were reporting in the morning, now swamped by water. #PhailinFury#Gopalpur

Rahul Kanwal - 8.09 pm

Can hear glass panes around us being shattered. Like Diwali fire crackers, going off in succession. #Gopalpur#PhailinFury Gloom & fear

Rahul Kanwal - 8.07 pm

Sudden perceptible increase in wind speeds & rain fall in #Gopalpur. Difficult to stand in balcony without being pushed around #PhalinFury

Rahul Kanwal 6.28 pm

8.25 pm: Navy update from Vizag

The Navy is ready to take crew out to sea for relief efforts from Visag. Whoever is deployed in Visakhapatnam needs to get in touch ASAP with local PRO Commander Babu or Cdr PVS Satish on 9818291962. They will also facilitate sound bites of Navy eastern commander on overall effort.

8 helicopters standing by at INS Dega.

INS Jalashwa also on standby.

8.20 pm: Update from Srikakulam

Dist Collector Srikakulam: Around 62,000 people have been evacuated and accomodated in 56 Relief Centers. Another 20,000 people accomodated in Cyclone Shelters in upland areas. No major incident reported till now. 30 people stuck in Vonturu in Kaviti Mandal at a higher level. Special Officer PD DRDA is in touch with them. NDRF team of Rajapuram shall rescue them immediately after the Cyclone passes away.

8.10 pm: Super Cyclone Phailin hits Gopalpur at 260 kmph

7.35 PM: Wind speed decreases as Phailin approaches Gopalpur

The wind speed has reduced to about 200 kmph from 220 kmph and the eye of the cyclone has also reduced. This will to some extent reduce the intensity.

7.15 pm: Defence Forces Deployment Update

18 choppers from the Air Force and 12 aircrafts on standby in close proximity.

Army has sent 6 relief columns to Odisha, 4 to Andhra Pradesh in Srikakulam.

Navy has kept 2 ships on standby.

60 Navy teams have been deployed at Vizag.

7.00 pm: Cyclone Phalin has made landfall at near Kapaskuddi, Andhra Pradesh between Srikakulam and Brahmapur.

At least three persons were killed as strong winds ranging around 80 kmph accompanied with heavy downpour uprooted trees in several parts of Odisha, where the cyclone is set to make landfall near Gopalpur and in Kalingapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, by 8 pm.

Army, Indian Air Force (IAF), Navy, Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and National Disaster Response Force were positioned in areas vulnerable to the cyclone which is centred around 150 km southeast of Gopalpur and 260 km southeast of Paradip.

All trains between Howrah and Visakhapatnam have been suspended and power supply switched off along the Odisha coastline, and three coastal districts in Andhra Pradesh as a precautionary measure.

The C-17 airlifted 60 troops and rescue and medical material including heavy vehicles and ambulance from Allahabad before landing at Bhubaneswar at around 8.15 am today. Additionally, the IAF has already started transporting NDRF personnel and other heavy relief equipment by by IL-76s and AN-32 from various bases across the country.

6.05 pm: NDRF Update:

More than 20 teams in standby. 26 teams in Odisha, 3 teams in reserve.15 in Andhra pradesh, 3 teams in reserve.

Under criticism for the variance in estimates of Phailin's ferocity, the IMD has come out with a clarification saying they are not underestimating the severity of the cyclone.

The press release also says that the cyclone will landfall between 6-8 pm at Gopalpur. The IMD further clarified that the Joint Typhoon Warning Centre in the US is in line with the met dept. So, the IMD's calculations are current and precise.

Wind speed is estimated at 200kmph at present. Will increase around landfall. Expected to be 150kmph at Gopalpur. Cyclone will sustain for 6hrs after landfall and will then downgrade to severe cyclone for the next 6hrs and then it will form a depression. It is at present 90km from Gopalpur.

4. 45 pm: High alert in coastal regions of East Midnapore

High alert sounded in the coastal regions of Digha in East Midnapore. Police have evacuated the people residing in the coastal areas of the district. Fishermen have been asked not to go for fishing for next three days as a precautionary measure.

4.30 pm: Air India and Indigo suspend all flight for Bhuvneshwar and Visakhapatnam due to Phailin Cyclon.

4.27 pm:Cabinet Secretary directs all agencies to be on full alert to minimize damage and loss of life and property.

4.25 pm:Two Navy warships- INS Ranvijay & INS Rana on standby.

4.20 pm:SCR starts helpline for passengers

South Central Railway (SCR) opens help lines to provide information on cancellation, partially cancellation and diversion of several trains due to Phailin. SCR has set up helpline numbers at major stations like Vijayawada, Rajahmundry, Kazipet, Warangal, Khammam and Manchiryal railway stations for passengers to seek information regarding movement of trains.The help line numbers are as follows:-

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Kiran Kumar Reddy said 22 boats had not returned from the sea but these were in safer area.

"We are monitoring the position of these boats; they are in safer area," he said at a press conference in Hyderabad.

He said he reviewed the cyclone situation with the collectors of coastal districts.

"There is a possibility of heavy rainfall and strong winds. More than one lakh people have been moved to safer places."

"I appeal to the people through media to listen to the officials and evacuate the places. The government is ensuring to keep people safe and not cause any inconvenience. Cattle and other animals are also shifted to safer places," he said.

He said all officials had taken their places and senior IAS officials were monitoring the situation.

"Water tanks supplying drinking water will be provided. If there is any discrepancy in communication, satellite phones, HAM radio and other wireless sets have been arranged," he said.

"Though the intensity of the cyclone is high, we are well-prepared. The temporary structures might be under risk due to strong winds.

We have taken precautions preparing for a super severe cyclone. We have not compromised on anything," he said.

"We are hoping that the cyclone will cause minimal damage," he said.

"All the ministers are monitoring the situation. Revenue minister is looking into the arrangements by himself. He has arranged a camp at Vizag from where he will administer everything."

3.19 pm: Three ministries told to set up 24/7 control rooms

3.06 pm: Phailin will weaken rapidly after landfall, says US Navy

Tropical cyclone 02B or Phailin is expected to rapidly weaken due to frictional land effects, said the US Navy's Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) in Pearl Harbour in its 14th typhoon warning on Saturday afternoon.

"Tropical cyclone 02B (Phailin), located approximately 312 nm south-southwest of Kolkata, has tracked northwestward at nine knots over the past six hours.

Animated multispectral satellite imagery shows a slight weakening of the deep convection surrounding the eye of the system.

Cloud top temperatures have been warming over the past six hours and supports the recent decrease in intensity for TC 02B.

The system remains a strong tropical cyclone, and is expected to remain strong as it moves into the northeastern coastal region of India within the next 8 to 10 hours.

The eye remains well defined and symmetric but has recently thinned from the outer perimeter of the deep convection and the central eyewall.

The system appears to be undergoing the initial phase of an eyewall replacement cycle, but is unlikely to complete the process prior to landfall.

TC 02B is tracking along the southwestern periphery of the deep-layered subtropical ridge (STR) to the northeast and will remain on a steady track to the northwest for the next 36 hours around the STR.

As the system approaches the coast, the low level inflow will erode due to frictional effects of land on the northwestern quadrant of the system.

Once the system makes landfall, TC 02B is expected to rapidly weaken due to frictional land effects, and will be fully dissipated by Tau 36.

Based on the tight grouping of model guidance, the confidence remains high for the forecast track. Maximum significant wave height at 120600z is 45 feet."

Cabinet secretary has asked defence, home and oil ministries to set up 24/7 control rooms to monitor the cyclone situation in Odisha and Andhra Pradesh.

The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), in a statement on Saturday, said it has deployed more then 50 rescue teams Odisha, Andhra Pradesh and West Bengal in consultation with state government to provide immediate rescue and relief in affected areas by Phailin.

"Rescue and relief teams have been positioned in vulnerable coastal areas of Odisha, Andhra Pradesh and West Bengal. Some additional teams are also been kept as reserves," it said.

A temporary cyclone shelter in Chatrapur, in Ganjam district about 200 kilometers from Bhubaneswar. (AP Photo/Biswaranjan Rout)

"In Odisha, 29 teams of NDRF have been deployed along with rescue equipment. In Andhra Pradesh, 15 teams have been deployed; four more additional teams are also being rushed from Tamil Nadu. Seven teams have been deployed West Bengal," it said.

"The teams have been adequately equipped with satellite phones and wireless sets to maintain smooth communication, in case normal communication lines get disturbed due the cyclone."

"NDRF control room in Delhi is closely monitoring the situation round-the-clock and keeping close coordination with state administrations and other agencies to provide immediate help for rescue and relief. Information about NDRF operations can be enquired at 011-26105912."

2:13 pm: President Pranab Mukherjee will return from West Bengal to New Delhi tonight in the wake of cyclone.

2:03 pm: Six naval ships, six helicopters ready for rescue

Statement of the Indian Navy:

As the severe cyclone Phailin is poised to strike the east coast, the Eastern Naval Command of the Indian Navy has assumed the highest degree of readiness to render all necessary humanitarian assistance.

Two Indian Naval ships including the Landing Platform Dock INS Jalashwa are standing by to proceed with dispatch to the most affected areas of Odisha in the aftermath.

INS Jalashwa, second largest combatant of the Indian Navy, is ideally equipped to undertake Humanitarian Aid Distress Relief (HADR), evacuation, logistic support and hospital ship operations.

Both the ships are poised with additional divers, doctors, inflatable rubber boats, integral helicopters and relief material that include food, tentage, clothes, medicines, blankets etc, in quantities sufficient to sustain over 5000 personnel for three days.

Met several evacuated people in Gopalpur. Seem satisfied with shelters govt has given, but as a lady correctly said, 'abhi to aarambh hai'

Jugal R Purohit

Six advance diving teams with inflatable boats, rescue material and satellite communication have left for Odisha by road and will operate from INS Chilka, 50 km north of Gopalapatnam, where the cyclone is expected to make landfall.

These personnel will be assisted by four platoons from the local Naval station and doctors from INHS Nivarini in their rescue and relief efforts.

The Eastern Naval Command is monitoring the developments closely and is in constant communication with the State Administration to augment the rescue and relief operations.

Six helicopters are standing by at the Naval Air Station INS Dega to undertake reconnaissance, rescue, casualty evacuation and air drop of relief material to the stranded.

Additionally, four Naval ships, 30 diving teams, four platoons with composite satellite communication and additional relief material are ready to be pressed into action at short notice, all along the East Coast from Visakhapatnam to Paradip.

1.54 pm: Phailin just 150 km away

Cyclone Phailin is 150 km away from Gopalpur in Odisha, says IMD

1:39 pm: Over 4.4 lakh people evacuated

Over 3.6 lakh people have been evacuated from four coastal districts of Odisha and around 80,000 people have been moved out of three districts in Andhra Pradesh, said NDMA on Saturday.

1:30 pm: Fishermen fleeing Paradeep village seek help from govt

Scared fishermen and their families are fleeing from a hamlet on the Paradeep coast.

The villagers said the Odisha government made no arrangements to take them to safer or higher grounds.

They have hired private vehicles and people are packing in as much goods as they can in each vehicle.

Winds speeds in Paradeep have gone up considerably and several trees have been uprooted.

The sea water too has risen considerably in Paradeep and threat of inundation and flying debris is imminent.

Villagers said that for the past 48 hours, there has been no food or water.

IMD has said that all the huts will be washed away and hundreds will be rendered homeless.

Build up to landfall begins. Collector informs power links begun snapping. So will road & communication, as the day progresses.

The biggest challenge in front of rescuers will be evacuation and sheltering after Phailin's landfall on the Odisha coast on Saturday evening.

Things are just about normal in Gopalpur - site of landfall of #phailinfury. Shops open, durga pandals being worked & locals very curious.

Jugal R Purohit

They have been practicing mock drills and a plan is in place for restoration of power and water supply. Trees are being chopped to clear roads.

Plans are being put in place to restore electricity, water supply, communication lines and emergency services soon after the cyclone.

Communication during the crisis is important and HAM radios have been sent out so that locals can put their voices out for rescue.

NDRF teams have moved in with local wireless sets.

State electricity boards along with state response teams and NDRF will restore electricity lines in hospitals when it's possible.

Odisha government already has put in place deep borewell water pumps to ensure potable water for the affected.

12: 53 pm: 18 fishermen stuck mid sea off Paradip coast

18 fishermen are stuck mid sea near Paradip coast with Phialin cyclone landfall just a few hours away, said officials.

The fishermen had gone out fishing on two trawlers. They were returning to shore but theur fuel got exhausted.

The Odisha government has sought help from coastguard to rescue the fishermen.

The state has also sought IOC's help in rescuing them.

Every few minutes you have to stop your car, clear the fallen trees from the road & then proceed. Slow progress. #PhailinFury

Rahul Kanwal

12.27 pm: School on hilltop only shelter for Gopalpur residents

In Gopalpur, people living in mud houses are scared. Hundreds of people from low-lying areas are flocking a PM High School located on the only hilltop in the area. Given its location, people feel a sense of security from the raging sea and strong winds.

12:10 pm: IMD bulletin on Phailin

The very severe cyclonic storm, Phailin over west-central and adjoining northwest Bay of Bengal moved northwestwards during past six hours with a speed of 15 km/ph and lay centred at 0830 hrs IST of today, the 12thth October 2013 over west-central and adjoining northwest Bay of Bengal near latitude 17.80 0 N and longitude 86.00 0 E, about 200 km southeast of Gopalpur, 200 km east-southeast of Kalingapatnam and 280 km southeast of Paradip.

It would move northwestwards and cross north Andhra Pradesh and Odisha coasts between Kalingapatnam and Paradip, close to Gopalpur (Odisha) by evening of today i.e. the 12thth October, 2013 as a very severe cyclonic storm with a maximum sustained wind speed of 210-220 kmph gusting to 240 kmph.

(i) Heavy rainfall: Rainfall at most places with heavy to very heavy falls at a few places and isolated extremely heavy falls ( 25 cm) would occur over coastal Odisha during next 48 hrs and over interior Odisha from today afternoon for subsequent 48 hrs.

Rainfall at most places with isolated heavy to very heavy falls would also occur over north coastal Andhra Pradesh during next 48 hrs.

Isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall would occur over coastal areas of West Bengal commencing from afternoon of today i.e. the 12thth October.

(ii) Gale wind: Gale winds speed reaching 70-80 kmph gusting to 90 kmph would prevail along and off Odisha and north Andhra Pradesh coasts during next 6 hours. It would increase in intensity thereafter with gale wind speed reaching 100-150 kmph from noon and 210-220 kmph gusting to 235 along and off coastal districts of north coastal

Andhra Pradesh and south Odisha at the time of landfall. State of Sea along and off Odisha and north Andhra Pradesh coast is high and will become gradually phenomenal from forenoon of today. It will be rough to very rough along and off West Bengal coast during the above period.

(iv) Damage expected over Odisha and adjoining north Andhra Pradesh: Extensive damage to kutcha houses. Some damage to old buildings. Large scale disruption of power and communication lines. Disruption of rail and road traffic due to extensive flooding. Potential threat from flying debris. Flooding of escape routes. Extensive damage to agricultural crops.

(v) Action suggested: Fishermen are advised not to venture into sea along north Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and West Bengal coast. Total suspension of fishing operations. Large scale evacuation of population from coastal areas. Total suspension of rail and road traffic in vulnerable areas . People in affected areas to remain indoors.

(vi) Post landfall outlook: Even after landfall the system is likely to maintain the intensity of very cyclonic storm for 6 hours and gradually weaken into a cyclonic storm in subsequent 6 hours while moving northwestwards across interior Odisha.

Under its influence rainfall at most places with heavy falls at a few places and extremely heavy falls at isolated places would occur over Odisha.

Rainfall at many places with isolated heavy to very heavy falls would also occur over north coastal Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and south Jharkhand.

Squally wind speed reaching 100-120 kmph would also prevail for 6 hours and 60-70 for subsequent 6 hours over Odisha during the same period.

12:00 pm: 'Phailin to become strongest cyclone India has ever seen'

American meteorologist Eric Holthaus has said that "Phailin was Cyclone Phailin is set to become the strongest India has ever seen."Writing in Quartz, he again said that despite international consensus that Phailin was among the most powerful storms ever to threaten the subcontinent, IMD was gauging the storm's strength conservatively.

1:09 pm: Odisha govt and NDRF prepare for relief and rescueHe attributed the difference of opinion on difference in interpreting satellite data.He said ocean levels may rise as much as 20 feet near and to the northeast of the storm's landfall location, pushing an inexorable wall of water inland.He also forecat storm surge of nearly three meters in the Ganges Delta of Bangladesh.

Quoting US Navy's Joint Typhoon Warning Center in Pearl Harbor, he said Phailin could to break the Indian Ocean intensity record set by 1999 cyclone just prior to landfall.He also said Phailin may bring nearly one meter of additional rainfall to inland areasQuoting American specialist Hal Needham's blog, he said strength of a storm 18 hours before landfall is the best predictor of its surge.Holthaus said the cyclone and the storm surge will inundate hundreds of thousands of homes in India and Bangladesh.

The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) on Saturday said tropical cyclone Phailin was around 200 km from the coast of Gopalpur at around 8 am. IMD director general LS Rathore categorized the cyclonic storm as very severe and said it would make landfall near Gopalpur between 6 and 8 pm.

He said the wind speed during the first six hours of the storm will be betern 210 to 220 km/ph and can even go up to 240 km/ph. After that its intensity will go down in the next six hours and it will erode by 24 hours. After landfall, the wave could go to the height of three metres and the seawater will enter 300 to 600 meters into coastal area of Ganjjam district in Odisha, he said at a press conference.

He also the US Navy had aligned itself with IMD forecast and reduced the severity of the storm to 6 from 7.2. He said it won't be initially possible to use helicopters for rescue and relief due to strong winds.

For six hours, it will be a very severe cyclonic storm and for the next six hour, a cyclonic storm, he said.

{mosimage}

10:21 am: As many as 52,000 locals were today evacuated and 25,000 people accommodated in cyclone shelters in Srikakulam district in view of Cyclone Phailin which is expected to cross the shore by this evening.

09:45 am: Foreign media is keeping a close eye on super cyclone Phailin. While CNN has already compared the super cyclone with hurricane Katrina which hit US in 2005, the BBC has categorised it as "very severe."

08: 16 am: NDMA says situation is much worse than they anticipated. Over 2 lakh people have been evacuated from Odisha; 64,000 from Andhra Pradesh.

7.30 am: Deep depression over Bay of Bengal intensifies further

The cyclonic storm over west central and adjoining east central Bay of Bengal moved northwestwards during past 6 hours and lay centred at 0230 hrs IST on Friday over west central and adjoining eastcentral Bay of Bengal near latitude 17.10 N and longitude 86.80 E, about 355 km south-southeast of Paradip, 320 km southeast of Gopalpur, and 315 km east-southeast of Kalingapatnam. It would move northwestwards and cross north Andhra Pradesh and Odisha coasts between Kalingapatnam and Paradip, close to Gopalpur (Odisha) by evening today as a very severe cyclonic storm with a maximum sustained wind speed of 210-220 kmph.

The coastal districts of Odisha and Andhra Pradesh have geared up to tackle any eventuality as cyclone Phailin reached within striking distance of the east coast. The "super storm" lay centred at 500 km away from Paradip and is expected to hit the Odisha coast around 6 pm today.

Five districts in Odisha are in the path of the storm. The meteorological department has identified Ganjam, Khurda, Puri and Jagatsinghpur as those likely to be worst hit.

The Andhra Pradesh government has readied its machinery to deal with the impact of the cyclone which is expected to cause damage in coastal districts of the state. Chief Minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy has reviewed the government's preparedness to face the impact of the cyclone and directed officials to take all precautionary measures.

Authorities have begun evacuating 64,000 people from the low-lying areas of three vulnerable districts in Andhra Pradesh, state Revenue Minister N. Raghuveera Reddy said. Emergency food supplies and makeshift shelters were also being readied in the vulnerable districts. Disaster management teams were also kept in readiness.

The wind speed of the cyclone, which will make landfall possibly near Gopalpur in Odisha this evening, is around 230km per hour. "It will be almost as severe as the super cyclone of 1999," said a Met official. As rains lashed many parts of Odisha, including Bubaneshwar, windy condition prevailed in several coastal districts such as Puri, Balasore and Ganjam.

"Danger signal has been hoisted at major ports, including Paradip and Gopalpur, since we expect that the big storm would surge with waves rising to a height of three metres," said the official.

"District administrations have been asked to stock adequate food and medicines and evacuation of people from vulnerable areas, especially those located near the coast, has begun," said Mohapatra.

Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, who has called off his Delhi visit in view of the impending natural calamity on Friday, has cancelled the puja vacations of all government employees and sought the help of defence forces. He has written to Defence Minister A.K. Antony, urging him to keep the IAF and the Navy ready to help the state tackle the situation, if the storm wreaks havoc.

Oct 11, 11.45 pm: High alert in AP's East Godavari dist

High alert has been sounded in East Godavari district to deal with the impact of the cyclonic storm 'Phailin', which is expected to cause damage in coastal districts of the state. Special control rooms have been opened at Kakinada, Rajahmundry and at Amalapuram by the transport department to provide vehicles in case of emergency.

The district collector said that 63 relief camps have been set up in the district and 13 special officers have been deployed to monitor the situation on the sea coast.

11.15 pm: People flee before cyclone hits Odisha coast

Carrying their baggage, thousands of people are leaving the port town of Paradip to escape the wrath of the severe cyclonic storm 'Phailin' which is expected to make landfall in Odisha in less than 24 hours.

The people, most of them workers of different industries including Oil Refinery of Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL), Paradip Port Trust (PPT), Paradip Phosphates Limited (PPL), IFFCO and Essar steel plant, have started vacating the town since yesterday.

"Over 30,000 people vacated the town since yesterday and it is still continuing," official sources said. The port town of Paraip in Jagatsinghpur was the epicentre of 1999 Super Cyclone with Ersame block bearing the maximum brunt of the natural disaster. With the horrendous experience of 1999 still haunting them, no one wants to take anything for granted, retired government officer Yudhistir Mohanty said.

Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP), Paradip, Madhabananda Sahu said people were not willing to listen despite their efforts to convince them that Paradip and its adjoining area would not be affected by the storm like 1999.

Meanwhile, at least seven ships which had been anchored in the dockyards were sent to the deep sea to ward off possible damage of ships after being hit into hard objects in the dock. A control room has been brought up at the signal station of the Port to keep round-the-clock watch and vigil. The marine department has been kept on alert to meet with exigencies of the situation, an official said.

The PPT authorities have cancelled leaves of all its employees. They have been directed to remain on alert and report on duty as and when asked for, said PPT chairman, Sudhansu Sekhara Mishra.

Similarly, construction work of the oil refinery had also been affected after the workers, most of them outsiders, left the place, official sources said.

The authorities were evacuating people living in vulnerable pockets including Sandhakuda, Atharabanki and Nehrubunglaw to safer places.

The Jagatsinghpur district collector S K Mallick said the administration was initiating all measures to meet the situation and evacuation was continuing on war footing.

Sea side Ersame block, battered by the Super Cyclone, was on the priority list of the administration with the people, particularly Ambiki, Padmapur, Kankana, Sankha, Gadaharispur villages, being shifted to safer places, Mallick said adding adequate relief material including free kitchen made available to them.

10.45: West Bengal on high alert

Southern districts of West Bengal were on Friday evening put on high alert. Teams of NDRF and Civil Defence alerted in Diamond Harbour and Contai alongwith South 24 parganas and East Midnapore district.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has offered help to Odisha.

9.20 pm: Over 1,600 NDRF personnel deployed for Odisha, AP

More than 1,600 NDRF personnel have been dispatched to Odisha and Andhra Pradesh as part of preparations to handle the possible fallout of the "very severe" cyclone Phailin that is set to make landfall tomorrow.

He added that extra teams of NDRF with manpower and equipment have been deployed. "We are ready to provide whatever help the state government asks for. We have also appealed to people to be ready for evacuation in short notice," he said. "Windspeed as per latest bulletin is going to be more than initial prediction," Reddy said.

He said 20,000 people in Srikakulam and 40,000 in Vishakapattnam have been evacuated.

Medical teams of Union Health Ministry are also getting ready to travel to the two states at a short notice.

The other regions which are expected to be affected by the cyclone include North Chhattisgarh, South Jharkhand, Eastern Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and gangetic West Bengal.

"Around 1.2 crore people are expected to be affected by the cyclone," he said.

Reddy said authorities have to gear up to a situation where a lot of damage can be expected and crops, roads, houses are likely to be affected.

Super cyclone to make landfall at over 220kmph speed, sea to see 3.5 metre rise

The super cyclone Phailin over Bay of Bengal is moving towards the Odisha coast at great speed and furious rage. The Indian Met Department's latest update said it was lying about 400 km south-southeast of Paradip, 400 km southeast of Gopalpur, and 410 km east-southeast of Kalingapatnam. Met office said it would move northwestwards and cross north Andhra Pradesh and Odisha coast between Kalingapatnam and Paradip, close to Gopalpur (Odisha) by evening of 12th October, 2013 as a very severe cyclonic storm with a maximum sustained wind speed of 210-220 kmph.

IMD has predicted heavy to very heavy falls at various places. "Isolated extremely heavy falls (? 25 cm) would occur over coastal Odisha during next 48 hrs and over interior Odisha from tomorrow afternoon for subsequent 48 hrs. Rainfall at most places with isolated heavy to very heavy falls would also occur over north coastal Andhra Pradesh during next 48 hrs. Isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall would occur over coastal areas of West Bengal commencing from afternoon of 12th October for subsequent 48 hrs, the IMD bulletin said on Friday evening.

The windspeed in the coastal region is going to increase. Squally winds speed reaching 45-55 kmph gusting to 65 kmph would continue along and off Odisha and north Andhra Pradesh coast during next 12 hrs. It would increase in intensity thereafter with gale wind speed reaching 100-150 kmph from forenoon and 210-220 kmph along and off coastal districts of north coastal Andhra Pradesh and south Odisha at the time of landfall. "State of sea along and off Odisha and north Andhra Pradesh coast is rough to very rough and will become gradually phenomenal on 12th October 2013. It will be rough to very rough along and off West Bengal coast during the above period," the IMD bulletin added.

The storm surge with height of 3.0 to 3.5 metres above astronomical tide would inundate low lying areas of Ganjam, Khurda, Puri and Jagatsinghpur districts of Odisha and Srikakulam district of Andhra Pradesh during landfall.

Damage expected over Odisha and adjoining north Andhra Pradesh: Extensive damage to kutcha houses. Some damage to old buildings. Large scale disruption of power and communication lines. Disruption of rail and road traffic due to extensive flooding. Potential threat from flying debris. Flooding of escape routes. Extensive damage to agricultural crops.

Odisha opens control rooms for cyclone

With countdown beginning for the 'super cyclone-like' calamity to hit Odisha coast, the state government today set up control rooms to make availble information, official sources said.

The helpline number of the Odisha Central Control Room is 0674-2534177, the sources said.